There will be eight former Greenville Drive players participating in the Arizona Fall League this season.

The AFL is a developmental league organized by Major League Baseball. Each big-league franchise sends about a half-dozen prospects. Each of the six AFL squads includes players from several different organizations.

This year, the Boston Red Sox will participate on the Surprise Saguaros, along with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers.

Surprise players from the Red Sox organization include pitchers Keith Couch, who played for the Drive in 2011, Noe Ramirez (2012) and Pete Ruiz (2010), as well as infielders Mookie Betts (2013), Garin Cecchini (2012), Derrik Gibson (2010) and Travis Shaw (2011).

Rich Gedman, a former Red Sox catcher who is currently hitting coach for their Class AA affiliate in Portland, Maine, will be the Surprise hitting coach.

Rangers prospect Will Lamb, who played collegiately at Clemson University, is also a member of the Saguaros pitching staff. Another former Clemson pitcher, Dominic Leone of the Seattle Mariners organization, will play for the Peoria Javelinas.

Two more Clemson alumni, Kyle Parker (Colorado Rockies organization) and Richie Shaffer (Tampa Bay Rays), have been assigned to the Salt River Rafters.

Brandon Jacobs, a 2011 Drive outfielder who was traded to the Chicago White Sox organization this summer, will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Former University of South Carolina pitcher Michael Roth, a Los Angeles Angels prospect, will play for the Mesa Solar Sox.

AFL opening day is Oct. 8 and its championship game is scheduled for Nov. 16.

About This Blog

Richard Breen is a veteran journalist who has been involved in minor league baseball since 1987. His career has spanned radio, television, newspapers, magazines, advertising and public relations, with various other adventures in between. This blog will cover all things Greenville Drive and Fluor Field.